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Matthew Toth
@damatttoth.bsky.social
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Reporter for the Lebanon Daily News, formerly reporter for the Somerset Daily American.
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damatttoth.bsky.social
Lebanon County protesters respond to U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser's Pottsville town hall Dec. 5. Thise who attended the congressman's forum described the tone as being full of anxiety and defensiveness.

www.ldnews.com/story/news/l...
Lebanon protesters respond to U.S. Rep. Meuser's Pottsville town hall
Lebanon protesters who attended U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser's town hall Dec. 5 described the tone as being full of anxiety and defensiveness.
www.ldnews.com
December 9, 2025 at 9:13 PM
damatttoth.bsky.social
Visit Lebanon Valley officials announced the appointment of Nancy Gates Monday, Dec. 8, to serve as the organization's new president & CEO. www.ldnews.com/story/news/l...
Visit Lebanon Valley appoints Palmyra resident Nancy Gates as new CEO
Board members said that Gates has more than two decades of leadership experience across corporate, nonprofit, and government sectors.
www.ldnews.com
December 9, 2025 at 1:45 PM
damatttoth.bsky.social
United Way donates to emergency crews and Church St. fire families. The United Way of Lebanon County reports collecting more than $28,000 total in funds to support those involved in the fatal Church Street duplex fire.

www.ldnews.com/story/news/l...
United Way donates to Church Street fire families and first responders
The United Way of Lebanon County reports collecting more than $28,000 total in funds to support those involved in the fatal Church Street duplex fire.
www.ldnews.com
December 5, 2025 at 10:12 PM
damatttoth.bsky.social
The Lebanon County Commissioners voted 2-1 to pass an $113.828 million preliminary budget for 2026 that includes a 0.20 mill tax increase to tackle rising costs.
www.ldnews.com/story/news/l...
Lebanon County officials approve a proposed 2026 budget with tax hike
Here's why Lebanon County Commissioners voted for a preliminary budget with a tax increase.
www.ldnews.com
December 5, 2025 at 2:01 PM
damatttoth.bsky.social
Lebanon Rescue Mission officials announced the sale of the Agape Family Shelter mansion on 9th St. to Jubilee Ministries, with proceeds going to new facility.

www.ldnews.com/story/news/l...
Lebanon Rescue Mission sells 9th St. shelter to Jubilee Ministries
Rescue Mission officials announced the sale of the Agape Family Shelter mansion on 9th St. to Jubilee Ministries, with proceeds going to new facility.
www.ldnews.com
December 1, 2025 at 1:50 PM
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Palmyra Borough Council members approve a preliminary budget for 2026 with a potential 0.7-mill tax increase for residents after heated debate.

www.ldnews.com/story/news/l...
Palmyra officials pass 2026 preliminary budget with tax increase
Palmyra Borough Council members approve a preliminary budget for 2026 with a potential 0.7-mill tax increase for residents after heated debate.
www.ldnews.com
December 1, 2025 at 1:34 PM
damatttoth.bsky.social
The mother of a 1-year-old child who was killed in a house fire Sept. 13, 2024 on Brandywine Street has pleaded guilty to child endangerment charges. www.ldnews.com/story/news/l...
Mother of 1-year-old boy killed in Brandywine St. fire pleads guilty
Jessica Miller pleaded guilty to felony child endangerment charges related to the death of an infant in the aftermath of a 2024 fatal fire.
www.ldnews.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:51 PM
damatttoth.bsky.social
A former New York Olympic boxer will spend the rest of his life in jail after being sentenced for the murder of his daughter in Palmyra before dumping her body in a Staten Island park in 2019. www.ldnews.com/story/news/c...
Kabary Salem sentenced to life for 2019 death of daughter in Palmyra
Chief Deputy Attorney General Brian Zarallo said to the judge that a life sentence was "certainly justice in this case."
www.ldnews.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:42 PM
damatttoth.bsky.social
Lebanon council approves budget, going 11 years without a tax increase. Lebanon City Council passed an $18 million budget for 2026 with no tax increase, though officials acknowledged expenses are still increasing.

www.ldnews.com/story/news/l...
Lebanon officials pass 2026 budget, 11th year without tax increase
Lebanon City Council passed an $18 million budget for 2026 with no tax increase, though officials acknowledged expenses are still increasing.
www.ldnews.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:17 PM
damatttoth.bsky.social
Lebanon Valley Rail Trail officials have partnered with the county commissioners to apply for a $711,388 DCED grant to connect the trail through the Lebanon Valley Mall.

www.ldnews.com/story/news/l...
Rail Trail, Lebanon officials seek state funding to finish urban link
Lebanon Valley Rail Trail officials plan to begin work around the Lebanon Valley Mall in April 2027 and should be finished by the end of July 2027.
www.ldnews.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:12 PM
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See the photos: The 49th Annual CLA Lebanon Holiday Parade was held Saturday, Nov. 22. Huge crowds filled Cumberland Street to observe the festivities. bit.ly/48v08kv
The 49th Annual CLA Lebanon Holiday Parade dazzled downtown
The 49th Annual CLA Lebanon Holiday Parade was held Saturday, Nov. 22. Huge crowds filled Cumberland Street to observe the festivities.
bit.ly
November 24, 2025 at 4:30 AM
damatttoth.bsky.social
Mayor Sherry Capello introduced the city's Housing Action Plan Nov. 19 at a housing summit, stressing the steps officials wish to use to tackle housing crisis issues.

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Lebanon mayor unveils strategy for tackling housing crisis at summit
Mayor Sherry Capello introduced the city's Housing Action Plan Nov. 19, stressing the steps officials wish to use to tackle housing issues.
www.ldnews.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:30 PM
damatttoth.bsky.social
More than 18,427 Lebanon County residents used SNAP benefits. According to the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, 1 in 10, or 9.8%, of Lebanon County residents experience food insecurity, and 9.7% of residents visited a food pantry in 2023.

www.ldnews.com/story/news/l...
Lebanon County community rallies before Thanksgiving as food insecurity rises
For many who are struggling in Lebanon County, Thanksgiving is a comfort in a time of hunger. Here's how you can help.
www.ldnews.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:02 PM
damatttoth.bsky.social
Westfield Egg Farm expands operations with new South Lebanon Twp. facility. The new Lebanon facility will be packing more than 300,000 to 500,000 dozen a week. Officials said that would be more than 283 million eggs a year.

www.ldnews.com/story/news/l...
Lancaster-based Westfield Egg Farm expands operations with new South Lebanon Twp. facility
The new Lebanon facility will be packing more than 300,000 to 500,000 dozen a week. Officials said that would be more than 283 million eggs a year.
www.ldnews.com
November 18, 2025 at 9:33 PM
damatttoth.bsky.social
Lebanon Valley officials report tourism on the rise in county. Tourism contributed $268.6 million to the Lebanon County economy alone in 2024, according to the PA Tourism Economics Report.

www.ldnews.com/story/news/l...
Visit Lebanon Valley staff reports tourism on the rise in county during 3rd annual summit
Tourism contributed $268.6 million to the Lebanon County economy alone in 2024, according to the PA Tourism Economics Report.
www.ldnews.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:11 PM
damatttoth.bsky.social
99-year-old Palmyra Navy veteran named SilverSneakers award finalist. Gerald Leinbach is a veteran who served in both World War II and the Korean War as a Navy mechanic.

www.ldnews.com/story/news/l...
Palmyra Navy veteran, 99, was recognized as a finalist for SilverSneakers fitness award
Gerald Leinbach is a veteran who served in both World War II and the Korean War as a Navy mechanic.
www.ldnews.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:14 PM
damatttoth.bsky.social
Election officials reported a surprisingly high turnout for Lebanon County during the Nov. 4 municipal elections, while touting the efforts by high school students working at the polls.

www.ldnews.com/story/news/l...
Lebanon officials praise high voter turnout, student workers during municipal election
Elections Director Sean Drasher said that the rate of voter turner out was more than 40% for the municipal elections.
www.ldnews.com
November 11, 2025 at 6:40 PM
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Two people have been charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty after officers discovered a dog allegedly malnourished and living in feces and waste covered conditions, according to the Western Lebanon County Regional Police Department..

www.ldnews.com/story/news/l...
Police charge two Palmyra residents with animal cruelty for malnourished dog
Western Lebanon County Regional Police officers said the dog was located in a room covered in feces and waste.
www.ldnews.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:35 PM
damatttoth.bsky.social
A 40-year-old Lebanon woman was taken into custody for allegedly threatening to blow up WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital, according to the Lebanon City Police Department. www.ldnews.com/story/news/c...
Police charge woman for allegedly threatened to blow up WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital
According to court documents, the woman started making threats after requesting information from hospital workers about her husband.
www.ldnews.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:49 PM
damatttoth.bsky.social
As the Pennsylvania 2025-26 budget impasse continues, Lebanon County officials say the delay could result in major impacts for residents for 2026. www.ldnews.com/story/news/l...
Lebanon officials say PA state budget impasse will cost county in 2026
"I've never budgeted on IOUs before, but that's kind of where we are," County Administrator Jamie Wolgemuth said.
www.ldnews.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:54 PM
damatttoth.bsky.social
A 20-year-old man has been charged with allegedly inflicting substantial injuries during a physical assault of a mother as she was holding her 1-month-old baby, according to the South Lebanon Township Police Department. www.ldnews.com/story/news/c...
Police charge man with allegedly strangling, assaulting a South Lebanon Township mother
Police said a South Lebanon Township man allegedly struck the victim Nov. 1 as she was laying in bed with her 1-month-old son.
www.ldnews.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:05 PM
damatttoth.bsky.social
Only half of the Palmyra Borough Council was on hand as officials laid out a worst-case scenario 2026 budget that included a potential 0.9-mill tax increase for residents. www.ldnews.com/story/news/l...
Palmyra officials consider 2026 'worst-case scenario' budget, which includes tax increase
Only half of the council was on hand as officials laid out a worst-case scenario 2026 budget, including a potential tax increase.
www.ldnews.com
October 31, 2025 at 5:08 PM
damatttoth.bsky.social
A U.S. Army veteran was gifted a refurbished vehicle Thursday, Oct. 30, by a Lebanon auto-body shop, which he said is the first vehicle he's ever owned. www.ldnews.com/story/news/l...
U.S. Army veteran gifted free car through Lebanon body shop, nonprofit organization
A U.S. Army veteran was gifted a refurbished vehicle Thursday, Oct. 30, which he said is the first vehicle he's ever owned.
www.ldnews.com
October 31, 2025 at 4:51 PM
damatttoth.bsky.social
The Lebanon County DA’s office said detectives are looking into actions by caseworkers that may have resulted in the death or serious injuries of multiple children.

www.ldnews.com/story/news/c...
Lebanon Co. DA investigating Children and Youth Services for allegedly endangering kids
The DA’s office said detectives are looking into actions by caseworkers that may have resulted in the death or serious injuries of multiple children.
www.ldnews.com
October 29, 2025 at 3:28 PM
damatttoth.bsky.social
Lt. Gov. Austin Davis hosted a roundtable Oct. 28 with Lebanon County Regional Police Department officers to discuss investments in community safety.

www.ldnews.com/story/news/l...
Lt. Gov. Davis, local law enforcement discuss regional policing in Lebanon County
Lt. Gov. Austin Davis hosted a roundtable Oct. 28 with Lebanon County Regional Police Department officers to discuss investments in community safety.
www.ldnews.com
October 29, 2025 at 11:11 AM